Mapping the location of a mobile communications device systems and methods

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the invention comprise systems and methods related to the provision of location based services via a mobile communications device. In different embodiments, a communication system is described, comprising a mobile communications device, a mobile communications base station, and a server computer system. The location of the device may be correlated with certain user preferences stored on the server computer system. In various embodiments, components of the larger system are described. In some cases, various location related mapping functions for a device are discussed. In other embodiments, systems and methods which provide for activities to be undertaken based on the location of a device are described. In still other embodiments, the disclosure addresses systems and methods of efficiently determining the location of a mobile device. In some embodiments, different notification schemes based on the location of a device and specified preferences are described. In various other embodiments, the disclosure addresses systems and methods for keyword monitoring based on the location of a device.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is related to the following U.S. patent applications,the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference:U.S. application Ser. No. 11/180,094, filed on a date even herewith byCasey, entitled “Efficiently Determining the Location of a MobileCommunications Device Systems and Methods”; U.S. application Ser. No.11/180,110, filed on a date even herewith by Casey, entitled“Correlating Activities with the Location of a Mobile CommunicationsDevice Systems And Methods”; U.S. application Ser. No. 11/180,114, filedon a date even herewith by Casey, entitled “User Defined Location BasedNotification for a Mobile Communications Device Systems And Methods”;and U.S. application Ser. No. 11/180,116, filed on a date even herewithby Casey, entitled “Location Related Keyword Monitoring on a MobileCommunications Device Systems and Methods”.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright or mask work protection. The copyright ormask work owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyoneof the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in thePatent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwisereserves all copyright or mask work rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention generally relate to mobile communicationsdevices and wireless networking. More specifically, they relate tosystems and methods for efficiently determining location information ofmobile communications devices.

GPS chipsets and other location determination technology have advancedrapidly over past few years. Technology related to mobile communicationsdevices, and the networks upon which they operate, have seenbreakthroughs as well. Relational databases and computers systemsrepresent another area that has also seen significant advancement. Thereare significant opportunities for integration of these differentsystems, devices and technologies to provide new functionality.

One of the larger hurdles to deployment is the power constraintsinherent in many mobile communications devices. This limits theprocessing that can take place on the devices, and thus limits theirfunctionality. Many services that leverage location information arepower intensive on the device, and thus have not been deployed in manytypes of devices. For example, mapping software, which creates mapsbased on GPS location information, is often loaded on to mobile devices.However, this type of functionality requires significant processing, andthus serves as a significant drain on many mobile communication devices.Thus, there exists a need in the art to leverage these advancedtechnologies, while efficiently using the limited power available on adevice.

In addition to providing location based information only to the user,the sharing of location based information may provide benefits. Givenprivacy concerns, users will not want to share their locationinformation all of the time and to everyone. These privacy concerns arean impediment that currently limits the sharing of such information.However, there are specific instances in which sharing locationinformation is of significant value. For instance, letting friends andother family members know a user's location can be important for safetyand coordination reasons. Also, sharing information with certainproviders of products and services in user defined circumstances mayprovide value as well. Thus, there exists a need in the art for systemsand methods of sharing location based and other user information, whilefiltering access to that information.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for mapping thelocation of a mobile communications device. According to someembodiments, a mobile communications device is configured to receive aset of data identifying the location of the device, and transmit the setof data. The device may be configured to receive image data illustratinga map and the location of the device, and display the image data on ascreen.

According to various embodiments, there is a mobile communications basestation in communication with the mobile communications device via awireless connection. In some embodiments, there is a server computersystem in communication with the base station. The server computersystem may be configured to maintain a user profile about the user andthe device. The server computer system may be configured to receive theset of data identifying the location of the device, associate the set ofdata with a user and the user profile, and transmit image data formattedaccording to information in the user profile. In certain embodiments,the selection of data may comprise a map illustrating the location ofthe device. Various embodiments comprise selected components of thelarger communications system.

According to some embodiments, the device is a cellular phone. In somecases, the device may be used to transmit data to modify the userprofile. According to various embodiments of the invention, differentforms of GPS data comprise the set of data identifying the location ofthe device. In some embodiments, the user profile includes preferencesregarding the display of different types of information. In someinstances, the location of businesses and other points of interest willbe displayed in the image data. In certain embodiments, the locationsmay be graphically represented as icons comprising hyperlinks toadditional information.

According to various embodiments, the server computer system is furtherconfigured to store the set of data identifying the location of thedevice. The image data may thus include historical representations ofthe location of the device as well. According to various embodiments,sets of data identifying the location of the device may be from aplurality of devices, and such locations may be displayed. In someembodiments, a second location is specified, and the image data includesthe second location and a suggested route to that location. The methodsof the present invention may also be embodied in a computer-readablestorage medium having a computer-readable program embodied therein.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description and specific examples, whileindicating various embodiments of the invention, are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to necessarily limitthe scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the presentinvention may be realized by reference to the following drawings. In theappended figures, similar components or features may have the samereference label.

FIG. 1 illustrates a communications system that may be used forproviding location based information according to various embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is flow diagram that illustrates a method of mapping the locationof a mobile communications device according to various embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 is flow diagram that illustrates a method for correlatingactivities with the location of a mobile communications device accordingto various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a flow diagram that illustrates a method of efficientlydetermining the location of a mobile communications device accordingvarious embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4B is a flow diagram that illustrates a method of communicatinglocation information from mobile communications device according tovarious embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a flow diagram that illustrates a method of user definednotification related to a mobile communications device according tovarious embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5B is a flow diagram that illustrates a method of user definedsharing of information related to a mobile communications deviceaccording to various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram that illustrates a method of correlatingkeyword and location information according to various embodiments of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The ensuing description provides preferred exemplary embodiments only,and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configurationof the invention. Rather, the ensuing description of the embodimentswill provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description forimplementing several embodiments of the invention. Various changes maybe made in the function and arrangement of elements without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appendedclaims.

Specific details are given in the following description to provide athorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will beunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments maybe practiced without these specific details. For example, circuits maybe shown in block diagrams in order not to obscure the embodiments inunnecessary detail. In other instances, well-known circuits, processes,algorithms, structures, and techniques may be shown without unnecessarydetail in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments.

Also, it is noted that the embodiments may be described as a processwhich is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a data flow diagram, astructure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may describethe operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can beperformed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of theoperations may be re-arranged. A process is terminated when itsoperations are completed, but could have additional steps not includedin the figures.

Moreover, as disclosed herein, the terms “storage medium” or “storagemedia” may represent one or more devices for storing data, includingread only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic RAM, corememory, magnetic disk storage mediums, optical storage mediums, flashmemory devices or other machine readable mediums for storinginformation. The term “computer-readable medium” includes, but is notlimited to portable or fixed storage devices, optical storage devices,wireless channels and various other mediums capable of storing,containing or carrying instructions or data.

Furthermore, embodiments may be implemented by hardware, software,firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or anycombination thereof. When implemented in software, firmware, middlewareor microcode, the program code or code segments to perform the necessarytasks may be stored in a machine readable medium such as a storagemedium. Processors may perform the necessary tasks. A code segment mayrepresent a procedure, a function, a subprogram, a program, a routine, asubroutine, a module, a software package, a class, or any combination ofinstructions, data structures, or program statements.

I. Network Infrastructure

Embodiments of the invention generally relate to mobile communicationsdevices and wireless networking. Embodiments of the present inventioninclude a communications system 100, comprised of one or more MobileCommunications Devices 125, a Mobile Communications Base Station 120,and a Server Computer System 105. A description of these elementsfollows.

The basic configuration 100 of the communications system is depicted inFIG. 1, for purposes of explaining the systems and methods of thepresent invention. Embodiments of the present invention include a ServerComputer System 105, which may include, for example, one or more servercomputers, personal computers, workstations, web servers, or othersuitable computing devices.

The following represents an exemplary structure for one or more of theaforementioned computing devices 105 a, which combined make up theServer Computer System 105. A computing device 105 a is preferablycomprised of hardware elements that are electrically coupled via bus,including a microprocessor, a computer-readable storage media reader, acommunications component, and a memory. The storage media reader isfurther connected to a storage medium, the combination comprehensivelyrepresenting remote, local, fixed, or removable storage devices orstorage media for temporarily or more permanently containingcomputer-readable information. The communications component may comprisea wired, wireless, modem, or other type of interfacing connection andpermits data to be exchanged with other components of the ServerComputer System 105, or the Internet, among others.

The Server Computer System 105 also comprises software elements presenton the storage media or in memory, which includes an operating systemand other code. The Server Computer System 105 includes applicationsoftware that programs the Server Computer System 105 to perform one ormore functions according to the present invention. For example,application software resident on the Server Computer System 105 may beexecutable by the Server Computer System 105 to receive and analyzelocation based information from Mobile Communication Devices 125. Itwill be apparent to those skilled in the art that substantial variationsmay be implemented in accordance with the specific requirements of thedifferent embodiments.

The Server Computer System 105 may be fully located within a singlefacility or distributed geographically, in which case a communicationsnetwork, as described below, may be used to integrate differentcomponents of the Server Computer System 105. The communications network(“Network”) 115, which may be any combination of the following: theInternet, an intranet, a wide-area network (“WAN”), a local-area network(“LAN”), a virtual private network, the Public Switched TelephoneNetwork (“PSTN”), or any other type of network supporting communicationbetween devices described herein, in different embodiments. The Network115 may include both wired and wireless connections, including opticallinks. Many other examples are possible and apparent to those skilled inthe art in light of this disclosure.

The Server Computer System 105 may be associated with at least oneDatabase 110. According to different embodiments of the invention, theDatabase 110 contains information related to location information,authentication information, user profiles and preferences. The Database110 may include any number of tables and sets of tables. In addition,the databases described below may be included in the Database 110.Application software running on the Server Computer System 105 queriesthe Database 110, and produces forms, reports, or other output asdictated by the application software. The Database 110 may beincorporated within the Server Computer System 105 (e.g. within itsstorage media), or may be a part of a separate system associated withthe Server Computer System 105. The Database 110 may be fully locatedwithin a single facility or distributed geographically. The Database 110may be organized in any manner different than described above to providethe functionality called for by the various embodiments, as known bythose skilled in the art.

According to various embodiments, the Database 110 includes anelectronic map database, providing data related to streets, buildings,malls, parks, lakes, rivers, mountains, and other related geographic andtopographic information. This information may be configured to becorrelated against coordinates that are produced with location basedinformation received by the Server Computer System 105, such as the GPSlocation based information described below. Size, shape, location, andname information related to the locations may thereby be associated withcertain coordinates. Tables may be comprised of data on large geographicareas, such as countries, states, and counties. Tables may also becomprised of smaller geographic areas, such as urban areas, cities,communities, and the like. Tables may include street names, addressnumbers and ranges, street class and type, speed limits, andsupplemental attributes. Different sizes, shapes, colors, dots, icons,and fonts may be used to indicate different features. The electronic mapdatabase may be configured to determine destinations, distances, ordirections for navigation purposes. The electronic map database may alsocontain a number of “logical location” mappings, wherein differentlocations are associated with businesses and other points of interestsituated in those locations. The content of the electronic map databasemay include any combination of the aforementioned attributes andinformation. The design and organization of the aforementioned tables isdiscretionary and within the skill of those of ordinary skill in theart, given the descriptions of data fields herein.

According to different embodiments, the Database 110 includes a userprofile database (also referred to herein as “user profile”), whichincludes information regarding users and Devices 125. The user profiledatabase for a particular user may include user preferences regardingmapping options, marketing and advertising filters, shopping and generaluser interests, monitoring and tracking preferences, and keywordspecifications. The user profile database may also contain a number of“logical location” mappings to locations in the electronic map database,wherein different locations are associated with businesses and points ofinterest (i.e. home, residences of friends and family, regular travelroutes, etc.) situated in those locations. These “logical location”mappings may be user specific, applicable to more than one user, orapplicable to public locations (retail, parks, etc.). A user profiledatabase may be maintained in one or any number of tables, and the userprofile tables may be in any number of geographic locations.

According to different embodiments, one or more user interfaces may beprovided to allow a user to modify various aspects of their profile fromthe Mobile Communications Device 125, from a desktop computer connectedto the Internet, or from a variety of other devices communicativelycoupled to or otherwise in communication with the Internet or the ServerComputer System 105. Privileges related to accessing and modifying userprofile and preference information may be modified by a user, or may bespecifically mandated by an application. The user profile andpreferences enable the customized presentation and content ofinformation on a personalized basis. The design and organization of theaforementioned tables is discretionary and within the skill of those ofordinary skill in the art, given the descriptions of data fields herein.

Therefore, according to a number of embodiments, the MobileCommunications Device 125 may be configured to transmit additional datadestined for the Server Computer System 105, which modifies the userprofile from the Device 125. The user may thus change preferences fromthe Device 125, without logging on from a personal computer.Alternatively, the user profile may be modified from a personal computeror other Device 125 connected to the Internet, as described above.

According to some embodiments, the Database 110 includes anauthentication database, which may include user id and passwordinformation. Other types of authentication information can be stored inthe Database 110 as well, examples of which are apparent to thoseskilled in the art in light of this disclosure. Various authenticationschemes known in the art may be used in accordance with embodiments ofthe invention, as discussed below.

As noted above, the Server Computer System 105 may include applicationsoftware that enables the Server Computer System 105 to perform one ormore functions according to the present invention. According todifferent embodiments of the invention, one application of the ServerComputer System 105 is an Authentication Application. Users of a MobileCommunications Device 125, and other users wishing to access informationwithin the System 105, may be required to provide some manner ofauthentication. According to some embodiments, the AuthenticationApplication may be as simple as inputting a user id and password intothe Mobile Communications Device 125. Credentials may be stored in aMobile Communications Device 125 or other device in the form of cookies,certificates, or device identifiers (e.g. SIM chips or IDs). Device 125specific authentication procedures may be used as well. Those skilled inthe art will recognize the variety of different options available.

According to different embodiments of the invention, one application ofthe Server Computer System 105 is an user interface application. Theuser interface application serves as the bridge between the user profiledatabase and the user, allowing a privileged user to add, modify, ordelete information, or simply providing read only access to information.The user interface may be accessed through the Device 125, or otherwisethrough a web interface or client device over the Network 115. The userinterface application can provide the interface to access theapplications and functionality discussed below, or that functionalitycan be provided outside of the user interface as stand aloneapplications.

According to different embodiments of the invention, one application ofthe Server Computer System 105 is a Mapping Application. According tosome embodiments, the Mapping Application integrates the electronic mapdata with location information from the Mobile Communications Device 125and produces a map image that is directed to the Mobile CommunicationsDevice 125 or class of devices.

According to different embodiments of the invention, there are otherapplications of the Server Computer System 105, which are discussed ingreater detail below. The applications are run on the Server ComputerSystem 105. The output of the applications may be directed to the MobileCommunications Device 125, may be stored, or may otherwise betransmitted over the Network 115.

As is evident from the above description, a number of differentconfigurations of the Server Computer System 105 are possible. Accordingto different embodiments, the Server Computer System 105 comprises a webserver in communication with a database server. The Authentication andUser Interface applications run on the web server. According to theseembodiments, the remaining applications run on the database server. Thedatabase server enables access to the database, enables access andmodification of content, processes the data according to the applicableapplication, and transmits customized responses.

The Server Computer System 105 communicates with the MobileCommunications Base Station 120 via the Network 115. The MobileCommunications Base Station 120 comprises a facility which sends andreceives radio signals to and from the Mobile Communications Device 125,as known in the art. The signals may be for purposes of cellulartelephone communications. As used herein, “cellular” should beinterpreted in a broad sense to include any of the variety of knownmodes of wireless or mobile voice communications. Exemplary cellularsystems include, but are not limited to, time division multiple access(“TDMA”) systems, code division multiple access (“CDMA”) systems, andGlobal System for Mobile communications (“GSM”) systems. Other exemplarycellular systems include systems known in the art as “3G” systems,Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (“EDGE”) systems.

In some embodiments, the Mobile Communications Base Station 120 may becommunicatively coupled or otherwise in communication with standardcellular network components known in the art. The Mobile CommunicationsBase Station 120 may be in communication with a mobile switchingcenter(“MSC”). To provide connectivity between cellular subscribers, theMSC may also be in communication with a telephone network such as thepublic switched telephone network (“PSTN”), and may query or otherwiseutilize a Signal Control Point, additional components that are wellknown to those skilled in the art.

The Mobile Communications Base Station 120 may also be comprised of awireless access point which sends and receives radio signals to and fromthe Mobile Communications Device 125. Such a wireless access pointincludes any device that provides a wireless interface and providesconnectivity to the Server Computer System 105. By way of example, suchaccess points may be “WiFi” hot spots that comply with the wirelessstandards developed in association with IEEE 802.11, including, but notlimited to IEEE 802.11(a), IEEE 802.11(b), IEEE 802.11(g), and IEEE802.11(n), which is currently under development. Those skilled in theart will recognize the myriad of potential configurations surroundingthe Mobile Communications Base Station 120. Under these embodiments, theServer Computer System 105 communicates with the Mobile CommunicationsBase Station 120 over the Network 115.

According to different embodiments of the present invention, a MobileCommunications Device 125 can be a cellular telephone, a personaldigital assistant, a pager, a text messaging device, a laptop, aportable music player, a two way radio, or any mobile device thatcommunicates voice or data. The Mobile Communications Device 125 and theMobile Communication Base Station 120 communicate via a communicationslink, at least a portion of which is wireless.

The Mobile Communications Device 125 may preferably be comprised ofhardware elements that are electrically coupled via bus, including amicroprocessor, a wireless receiver component, a wireless transmittercomponent, a computer-readable storage media reader, and a memory.Additionally, the storage media reader is further connected to a storagemedium. There may also additional components communicatively coupled tothe device, including an output component, such as a screen, display, orspeaker, and an input component such as a keyboard, touchscreen, ormicrophone. Those skilled in the art will recognize that this is but oneof a number of possible configurations for the Mobile CommunicationsDevice 125.

The Mobile Communications Device 125 is also coupled to a receivercomponent which enables the reception of location based information,also referred to herein as “data which identifies the location of thedevice,” “location data,” “location based data” or “locationinformation.” The receiver may be coupled to the Mobile CommunicationsDevice 125 in any suitable manner known in the art. By way of example,it may be an integrated component or may be a stand alone receiverotherwise communicating with the Mobile Communications Device 125.

The location based information may be in the form of Satellite 130location information, cellular location information, network analysis oflocation information, location information specific to a building, orother means for location determination. The location based informationmay be based on triangulation using cellular towers or access points.GPS related location information is discussed in greater detail below.Alternatively, cellular carriers may employ other means of locatingcellular telephones and other mobile computing devices using cellulartowers. By way of example, the time difference of arrival, angle ofarrival, and location pattern matching methods are well known in the artas alternative means of obtaining location information.

According to some embodiments, the location based information may be inthe form of a Global Positioning System (“GPS”) coordinates. Toillustrate how the Mobile Communications Device 125 receives andtransmits location information, GPS will be used. However, one skilledin the art will recognize that similar principles could be applied withother location based information. GPS is navigation system whereinlocation information is ascertained from a constellation of deployedsatellites 130. GPS provides continuous positioning and timinginformation anywhere in the world, utilizing very accurate atomicclocks. GPS is a one way system, wherein users only receive information.

The design of the GPS system attempts to ensure that four (4) or moresatellites 130 will always be visible. With the timing and positioninformation received from the satellites, the Mobile CommunicationDevice 125 or Server Computer System 105 “triangulates” the position ofthe Mobile Communications Device 125. GPS systems can also measurealtitude, speed, and direction of travel. Those skilled in the art willrecognize that as technology evolves and new generations of satellitesare launched with the GPS system, some of the characteristics of thesystem may change.

Each GPS satellite continuously transmits a microwave signal comprisedof two carrier frequencies, modulated by two digital codes and anavigation message. The two GPS carrier frequencies are generated at1,572.42 MHz (LI carrier) and 1,227.60 MHz (L2 carrier). The two GPSmodulation codes are called coarse acquisition (“C/A Code”) andprecision (“P Code”). Each code is comprised of a stream of binarydigits, and is considered a pseudo random noise (“PRN”) code. However,the codes are generated using a complex mathematical algorithm. Theprecise code modulation for each satellite differs. The C/A code ismodulated onto the Li carrier only, whereas the P Code is modulated ontoboth the L1 and L2 carriers. The navigation message is added to bothcarriers as binary biphase modulation.

According to various embodiments, the Mobile Communications Device 125receives a GPS signal and retransmits the signal directly to a ServerComputer System 105 via a Mobile Communication Base Station 120. Signalprocessing, wherein 1) the distances to the GPS Satellites are computedthrough the digital codes (pseudoranges), and 2) the satellitecoordinates are computed through the navigation message, may beundertaken by the Server Computer System 105. Alternatively, the MobileCommunications Device 125 may process the GPS signal itself. Accordingto other embodiments, the Mobile Communications Device 125 partiallyprocesses the signal with built in software. According to still otherembodiments, the Mobile Communications Device 125 processes the signal,and determines the GPS measurements and transmits the GPS measurementsin a data format. By way of example, the format may be RINEX, NGS-SP3,RTCM SC-104, or NMEA 0183. Those skilled in the art will recognize thatany number of proprietary formats may be used as well. According todifferent embodiments, a plurality of GPS antennas are used to determineposition location with greater accuracy.

The Mobile Communications Device 125 may, in some cases, transmitalternative location information to the Server Computer System 105.According to some embodiments, the signal strength from differentcellular towers may be used to determine position. In these cases, thesignal processing, wherein the signal strength and cellular toweridentification is used to determine position, is undertaken by theServer Computer System 105, not the Mobile Communications Device 125. Insome cases, the Device 125 may not provide the information; instead,cellular towers may triangulate the Device 125 and provide suchinformation to the System 105. Those skilled in the art will recognizethe different types of location information that may be received andretransmitted by the Mobile Communications Device 125. Therefore,according to the various embodiments that follow, the location basedinformation may comprise GPS coordinate data, GPS codes and a GPSnavigation message, or any location based information described in theapplication.

II. Mapping: One set of embodiments of the invention provides systemsand methods for mapping the location of a Mobile Communications Device125. According to these embodiments, the Mapping Application of theServer Computer System 105 creates an image formatted to be received bythe Mobile Communications Device 125, or specific class of devices. FIG.2 illustrates a method 200 of mapping the location of a cellulartelephone according to a set of embodiments. The method can be used in avariety of systems, and other methods can be used as well, as isapparent to one skilled in the art in light of this disclosure.

According to some embodiments, the Mobile Communications Device 125 is acellular telephone configured to receive GPS coordinate data comprisedof GPS codes and a GPS navigation message. However, other types oflocation based data and Devices 125 may be used. The method is initiatedwhen the cellular telephone receives 205 the GPS coordinate data. Thecellular telephone transmits 210 the GPS coordinate data to the MobileCommunications Base Station 120, which forwards 215 the data to theServer Computer System 105. Other data may be included in thetransmission of GPS coordinate data, such as time, telephone, and userinformation. The Server Computer System 105 receives 220 the GPScoordinate data, and associates 225 that location information with aparticular user. The Server Computer System 105 maintains 230 a userprofile which includes information about the user and the Device 125 asdiscussed above. The user profile may include information about thecellular telephone necessary to identify the user, or a user may beidentified or otherwise authenticated in any other fashion known in theart.

The Server Computer System 105 correlates 235 the location data,information in the user profile relating to the user and the telephone,and mapping and location information in the electronic map database. Theuser profile may include information about the preferences of the userregarding the display of information. The Server Computer System 105creates 240 image data illustrating a map, and the location of theDevice 125. The image data is specifically formatted for display on theDevice 125 or class of devices, and is based on the information aboutthe device in the user profile. The Server Computer System 105 transmits245 the image data to the Base Station 120, which then forwards 250 theimage data to the Device 125. The image data may be transmitted in anemail, instant message, or other format. The Device 125 receives theimage data, and displays 255 the image data on a screen coupled to theDevice 125. The above exemplary embodiment merely represents an exampleof different embodiments of the invention.

According to different embodiments, the Mobile Communications Device 125is further configured to transmit additional data destined for theServer Computer System 105 which modifies the user profile from theDevice 125. The user may thus changes preferences regarding the contentof the image data from the Device 125, without logging on from apersonal computer. Alternatively, the user profile may be modified froma personal computer or other device connected to the Internet (e.g. viaa web interface, dedicated client, etc.).

The Server Computer System 105 may also be configured to store locationinformation received from a Mobile Communications Device 125 on astorage medium, and include a graphical representation of the historicallocations of the Device 125 within a time period. One skilled in the artwill recognize how historic location data can be correlated withinformation in the user profile and mapping and location information inthe electronic map database.

The user profile may also include preferences of the user identifyingthe circumstances in which the locations of a variety of businesses andother points of interest will be included in the image data. Thepreferences may include filters enabling different preferences accordingto times of day, geographic location, or other user input. The imagedata may then include a variety of graphical identifiers relating to thebusinesses and other points of interest, such as colors, dots, text, oricons. The identifiers may also comprise hyperlinks to additionalinformation about the businesses or points of interest.

According to some embodiments, the Mobile Communications Device 125 maytransmit the GPS coordinate data or other location information accordingto a variety of algorithms, one of which 400 b is discussed in detailbelow. According to other embodiments, the Server Computer System 105receives additional location data which identifies locations of otherDevices 125, such as the those of friends or family. Alternatively, theServer Computer System 105 may receive additional data identifying asecond location or locations, such as a destination or a possiblevacation spot. The user profile may be configured to include preferencesof the user specifying the circumstances in which the different usersand locations will be displayed. The preferences may include filtersenabling different preferences according to times of day, geographiclocation, or other user input. The image data may then include a varietyof graphical identifiers relating to the users or locations, such ascolors, dots, text, or icons. The image data may also include asuggested route through a selection of the users or locations.

III. Correlating Activities: Another set of embodiments provides systemsand methods for correlating activities with the location of a MobileCommunications Device 125. According to these embodiments, the ServerComputer System 105 creates a suggested route or otherwise illustrateslocations to be visited by a user of a Mobile Communications Device 125.FIG. 3 illustrates a method 300 of correlating activities with thelocation of a cellular telephone according to a set of embodiments. Themethod can be used in a variety of systems, and other methods can beused as well, as is apparent to one skilled in the art in light of thisdisclosure.

According to some embodiments, the Mobile Communications Device 125 isagain configured to receive location based information. According tosome embodiments, the location based information is obtained throughcommunication with cellular telephone towers (although alternativeembodiments may use a variety of techniques to receive location basedinformation, as described above). The method is initiated when theDevice 125 receives 305 location based information. The Device 125transmits 310 the location data to the Mobile Communications BaseStation 120, which forwards 315 the data to the Server Computer System105. Other data may be included in the transmission of location data,such as time, Device 125, and user information. The Server ComputerSystem 105 receives 320 the location based data, and associates 325 thatlocation data with a particular user. As noted above, the ServerComputer System 105 may be fully located within a single facility ordistributed geographically, in which case a Network 115 may be used toprovide communication between or otherwise integrate differentcomponents of the Server Computer System 105. As described above, theServer Computer System 105 maintains 330 a user profile database, whichincludes information about the user and the Device 125. According tothese embodiments, the profile includes a listing of a plurality ofother locations to be visited by the user of the Device 125. The userprofile may include information about the cellular telephone necessaryto ascertain the user, or a user may be ascertained or otherwiseauthenticated in any other fashion known in the art.

The Server Computer System 105 correlates 335 the location data, theinformation in the user profile listing the plurality of locations to bevisited by the user, and mapping and location information in theelectronic map database. The user profile may also include informationabout the preferences of the user regarding the display of information.The Server Computer System 105 creates 340 data that describes asuggested route through the locations to be visited. The data may be ina variety of forms, including text, map images, dynamic directionarrows, or combinations thereof. The Server Computer System 105transmits 345 the suggested route data to the Base Station 120, whichthen forwards 350 the suggested route data to the Device 125. The datamay be transmitted in an email, SMS message, instant message, or otherformat. The Device 125 receives and displays 355 the suggested routedata on a screen coupled to the Device 125.

According to various embodiments, the user profile database alsoincludes a listing of a number of tasks to be performed by the user ofthe Device 125. The listing of tasks may include such things as“groceries,” “gas,” “cleaners,” “pick up kids at school,” “go to park”and so on. The user profile may also include a listing of a variety ofbusinesses and other points of interest and their associated locations.The user profile may further include a correlation between the locationsand tasks identified by the user. An application of the Server ComputerSystem 105 matches the tasks and the locations of businesses and otherpoints of interest in light of the location based information, toidentify locations to be visited by the user in order to accomplish thetasks.

By way of example, if “gas” and “groceries” are on the listing of tasks,the application would match a gas station and grocery store identifiedin the listing of businesses and other points of interest that are alsoin the vicinity of the Device 125. The design of such databases andmatching algorithms are well known by those skilled in the art in thedesign of relational database systems. According to certain embodiments,the listing of tasks is populated by data from a electronic personalcalendar embodied on a computer readable medium.

According to other embodiments, the user profile further includes anumber of preference levels corresponding to businesses and other pointsof interest. These preference levels may signify different ranges ofpreference or likeability that a user associates with a specificbusiness or point of interest. By way of example, at the user interface,the levels may be numbers, letters, colors, logos, icons or any otherfeature.

According to some embodiments, a destination or other location isreceived, and the data created by the Server Computer System 105includes the destination or other location. According to otherembodiments, the data created is image data which is comprised of a mapillustrating the location of the Device 125, other locations to bevisited by the user, and a suggested route. The suggested route may bedetermined using shortest path algorithms known in the art, by order ofpriority of the task, combinations thereof, or any other criteria. Thelocations to be visited by the user may be comprised of icons which maybe hyperlinks to further information. According to differentembodiments, the locations to be visited by the user are illustratedwithout any suggested route.

IV. Efficiently Determining Location: Another set of embodiments of theinvention provides systems and methods for efficiently determining thelocation of a Mobile Communications Device 125. According to theseembodiments, the Server Computer System 105 receives location basedinformation transmitted according to a power efficiency algorithm 400 b,and filters and transmits location data according to the preferences ofthe user. FIG. 4A illustrates a method 400 a of efficiently determiningthe location of a Device according to a set of embodiments. The methodcan be used in a variety of systems, and other methods can be used aswell, as is apparent to one skilled in the art in light of thisdisclosure.

The method is initiated when the Mobile Communications Device 125obtains 405 location based information (e.g. receiving it from aSatellite 130). The Device 125 transmits 410 the location data to theMobile Communications Base Station 120, which forwards 415 the data tothe Server Computer System 105. Other data may be included in thetransmission of location data, such as time, Device 125, and userinformation. The transmission from the Device 125 may occur on intervalsbased on the algorithm 400 b described below, and illustrated in FIG.4B. According to different embodiments, the algorithm 400 b may bemodified by the user directly on the device, or by modifying the userprofile from the device or via a web interface. Alternatively, theServer Computer System 105 may otherwise transmit data which modifiesthe algorithm 400 b.

According to certain embodiments, the Device transmits the locationbased information on the earliest of the four following intervals:

-   1. Query from the Server Computer System 105: The first transmission    initiation factor 460 is a message received by the Device 125 from    the Server Computer System 105 requesting transmission 485 of    location based information. For example, if a second user queried    the Server Computer System 105 regarding location based information    about the user of the Device 125, the Server Computer System 105 may    be programmed to immediately query the Device for location based    information. The second user may want the information for tracking    or monitoring purposes.-   2. Distance Movement Metric: The second transmission initiation    factor 470 is a Distance Movement interval, wherein the Device 125    may be programmed to transmit 485 location based information    according to changes 465 in the location based information received    by the device. Merely by way of example, the Device 125 may be    programmed to transmit the location based information if the    information indicates a 500 meter change in location from previous    location based information transmission. Distance movement    transmission preferences may be longer or shorter, but shorter    distances may cause increased numbers of transmissions and drain    power. According to different embodiments, different distances can    be specified for each user or Device 125 during different times of    the day, different days, different locations, and so on. The    distance preferences for an individual user may be stored or    modified in the user profile database, and transmitted to the Device    125. Alternatively, a service provider could program the Device 125    for different distances. One skilled in the art will recognize the    variety of different programming options.-   3. Geographic Boundary Metric: The third transmission initiation    factor 475 is a Geographic Boundary metric, wherein the Device 125    may be programmed to transmit 485 location based information    according to movement 465 of the device across certain geographic    boundaries. The boundaries may correspond, for example, to certain    GPS coordinates. By way of example, the Device 125 may be programmed    to create a boundary around the grounds of a school, or the    buildings or classrooms within the school. The Device 125 transmits    the location based information if GPS coordinates indicate that the    geographic boundaries have been crossed. There may be any number of    geographic boundaries of varying sizes, but more boundaries and    smaller sizes may cause increased numbers of transmissions and drain    power. According to different embodiments, different boundaries may    be specified for each user or Device 125 during different times of    the day, different days, different locations, and so on. The    boundary preferences for an individual user may be stored or    modified in the user profile database, and transmitted to the Device    125. Alternatively, a service provider could program the Device 125    for different boundaries. One skilled in the art will recognize the    variety of different programming options.-   4. Time Interval Metric: The fourth transmission initiation factor    480 is a time interval, wherein the Device 125 may be programmed to    transmit 485 location based information within a specified time    period after each transmission. For example, the Device 125 may be    programmed to transmit the location based information every 30    minutes after a transmission of location based information, unless    location based information was transmitted from the Device during    the interim period according to one of the other 3 factors.    According to different embodiments, different time intervals can be    specified for each user or Device 125 for different times of the    day, different days, different locations, and so on. The time    preferences for an individual user may be stored or modified in the    user profile database, and transmitted to the Device 125.    Alternatively, a service provider could program the Device 125 for    different time intervals. One skilled in the art will recognize the    variety of different programming options.

According to other embodiments, two or three of the following four (4)metrics described above may be used: 1) Query from the Server ComputerSystem 460, 2) Distance Movement Metric 470, 3) Geographic BoundaryMetric 475, 4) Time Interval Metric 485. According to some embodiments,the Device 425 transmits the location based information on the earliestof the two or three selected intervals. According to other embodiments,the Device 425 transmits the location based information based onalternative factors related to the four (4) metrics.

Returning to FIG. 4A, the Server Computer System 105 receives 420 thelocation based information, and associates 425 that location informationwith a particular user. As noted above, the Server Computer System 105may comprise any number of computing devices 105 a, such as servercomputers, personal computers, workstations, or web servers. The ServerComputer System 105 maintains 430 a user profile which includesinformation about the user and the Device 125. The user profile may alsoinclude information regarding the circumstances in which the locationbased information should be stored in the Database 110.

According to some embodiments, the user profile includes preferences ofthe user of the Device 125 regarding the sharing of location basedinformation. The preferences may include information such as: a) whichother users or groups of other users may access location basedinformation, b) when each other user or group may access location basedinformation (times of day, days of the week), c) how granular theinformation requested may be (State, City, Street, etc.), or d) how eachother user or group may access location based information (for example,can they monitor or track the device). Additional preferences mayinclude whether an other user or group may access historical locationbased information, and which historical location based information canbe accessed. A user may also grant access rights on a per inquiry basis,such that rights would be required to be given by the user with eachinquiry about location based data. According to different embodiments,there are a number of different “access levels,” which correlate seriesof preferences. For example, one access level could be “Universal,”granted to a family member to enable access to all of the location data.One skilled in the art will recognize the variety of options availableregarding preferences and the user profile.

The Server Computer System 105 correlates 435 the location data, theaforementioned preferences of the user, and mapping and locationinformation in the electronic map database. The Server Computer System105 filters 440 the location data according to the preferences of theuser. The filtered data may be maintained in a variety of formats,including coordinate data, text, map images, or combinations thereof.The Server Computer System 105 transmits 445 the filtered data. Thedestination of the filtered data may be an other user trying to accessthe information from a mobile communications device or a personalcomputer connected to the Internet or Server Computer System 105. Thedata may be transmitted in an email, instant message, voice message, webpage, or any other appropriate format. The above exemplary embodimentmerely represents an example of different embodiments of the invention.

According to various embodiments, the Server Computer System 105 maystore the location data received according to preferences in the userprofile, or other parameters. According to some embodiments, other usersmay request location based information about the user of the Device 125.The other users may request “real-time” or historic information, orcertain subsets of information within these broader categories. Theother users may track, monitor, or otherwise receive location basedinformation about the user from a mobile communications device. Theother users may make tracking, monitoring, and other such inquiries fromthese other devices, without logging on from a personal computer.Alternatively, the inquiries may be made and information viewed from apersonal computer or other device connected to the Internet. The otherusers may receive information in a variety of forms, as noted above.According to some embodiments, the other users may indicate theirpreferences regarding the format of the information. In addition, theymay indicate the time period for tracking a user, or request certainperiodicity of updates or alerts based on time, movement, or boundarymetrics, as described above.

According to different embodiments, the Server Computer System 105 maytransmit the monitoring or tracking information (i.e. the filtered data)to the other users at intervals related to time, movement of the device,and crossing of geographic boundaries. These interval metrics 400 b arediscussed in detail above, and no further specific discussion isnecessary. According to these embodiments, the other user inquiringabout location information can receive updated (time interval)information and alerts (movement/boundary) about the location of theuser.

According to different embodiments of the invention, the userpreferences regarding the sharing of location based information may beprogrammed by a service provider, and administrator, or a user, or maybe preprogrammed onto the device. In some embodiments, the user may notchange the preferences. Alternatively, someone other than the user maybe the only person allowed to change the preferences, or the user may berequired to receive authorization before any changes are made.

According to different embodiments, the Server Computer System 105receives location based data from a number of mobile communicationsdevices. That location based information is then correlated withpreferences of the users associated with each device. These embodimentsenable the monitoring or tracking of multiple users.

V. User Defined Notification: Another set of embodiments of theinvention provides systems and methods allowing for user definednotification related to the location of a Mobile Communications Device125. According to some embodiments, illustrated in FIG. 5A, the ServerComputer System 105 creates 500 a information related to providers ofproducts and services for transmission under defined circumstances to aMobile Communications Device 125. According to other embodiments,illustrated in FIG. 5B, the Server Computer System 105 creates 500 binformation related to a user of a Device 125 for transmission underdefined circumstances to product and service providers. The methods canbe used in a variety of systems, and other methods can be used as well,as is apparent to one skilled in the art in light of this disclosure.

According to some embodiments, the Mobile Communications Device 125 is acellular telephone configured to receive location based information.However, the methods could be used with any other appropriate MobileCommunications Device 125. The method is initiated when the cellulartelephone receives 505 location based information. The cellulartelephone transmits 510 the location data to the Mobile CommunicationsBase Station 120, which forwards 515 the data to the Server ComputerSystem 105. Other data may be included in the transmission of locationdata, such as information related to time, telephone, and user. TheServer Computer System 105 receives 520 the location data, andassociates 525 that location information with a particular user. Asnoted above, the Server Computer System 105 may be fully located withina single facility or distributed geographically, in which case a Network115 may be used to integrate different components 105 a of the ServerComputer System 105.

The Server Computer System 105 maintains 530 the user profile. Accordingto these embodiments, the user profile includes a listing of the contactpreferences of the user of the Device 125. The contact preferences mayinclude information about the times, locations, types of product andservice providers of interest (specific providers or generalpreferences), format of contact, and other circumstances in which theuser prefers to be contacted. The user profile may include informationabout the preferences of the user regarding the preferred format and thedisplay of information. For example, a user may specify that between4:00 and 6:00 p.m., on certain roads, he or she would like to receive anemail with a map alerting him or her to certain types of restaurants.Product and service providers may include, without limitation, grocerystores, gas stations, health clubs, video stores, medical offices,museums, national parks, amusement parks, and any other retail orservice establishments. According to some embodiments, the user profilecontains preferences of the user regarding the sharing with suchproviders of location based information and other information in theuser profile.

The Server Computer System 105 also maintains 535 a database of productand service providers (“provider database”), contained in the Database110. The provider database includes information about certain productand service providers, and the information may include location,products or services offered, hours, special offers or coupons, reviews,and so on. Locations of the product and service providers are “logicallymapped” to the electronic map database, as described above. The providerdatabase also includes specific directives from each product and serviceprovider regarding the circumstances in which the Server Computer System105 should contact a user of a Device 125, along with directionregarding the information that should be included in the contact.According to different embodiments, the provider database also includesinformation about the circumstances in which the provider would like toreceive information about a user of a Device 125 in light of locationbased data and available information contained in the user profile.

The Server Computer System 105 correlates 540 the location basedinformation, the contact preferences of the user, the specific contactdirectives of the product and service providers, and mapping andlocation information in the electronic map database. The Server ComputerSystem 105 creates 545 data which includes information related to atleast one of the product and service providers. The data may be in avariety of forms, including text, audio messages, map images, dynamicdirection arrows, or combinations thereof. The Server Computer System105 transmits 550 the data to the Base Station 120, which then forwards555 the data to the user of the Device 125. The data may be transmittedas an email, a cellular telephone message, an instant message, or in anyother format. The above exemplary embodiment merely represents anexample of different embodiments of the invention.

According to different embodiments, the user profile further includes anumber of preference levels corresponding to business and serviceproviders. These preference levels may signify different ranges ofpreference or likeability that a user associates with a specificbusiness or service provider, or may correspond to classes of productand service providers. By way of example, a user may express highpreference for health food stores, and a low preference for fast foodrestaurants.

The Server Computer System 105 may store location based data,communication, responses, and other input from the user. According todifferent embodiments, the preferences levels are assigned based oninferences from the Server Computer System 105 from the collection andanalysis of data related to this stored information from the user.

According to some embodiments, the user may receive contact or alertsbased solely on changes in the location based data. For example, usersand product and service providers may have specific preferences for thetransmission or receipt of information based on vicinity parameters.According to different embodiments, a user may input information aboutan other location, such as a location that they will be visiting soon orare otherwise interested in. In so doing, the user (through their userprofile preferences) would be enabled to receive information or offersfrom product or service providers at that second location, or may shareinformation with product and service providers at that second location.

According to other embodiments, the data to be transmitted to the useris image data which may comprise a map illustrating the current or otherlocation of the user, and a representation of at least one of theproduct or service providers. The product and service providers may beshown as icons, which may also represent hyperlinks to furtherinformation about the provider. According to other embodiments, the datato be transmitted to the user is a suggested route to or through theproduct and service providers.

According to different embodiments, certain data contained in the userprofile is transmitted to a product or service provider. According tosome of these embodiments, many of the steps are similar (505-525, 555),but there may be a number of variances depending on the particularembodiment. According to the method 500 b illustrated in FIG. 5B, theuser profile 580 contains preferences of the user regarding the sharingof location based information and other information in the user profile(“sharing preferences”). Such sharing preferences may be very similar tocontact preferences, except that they relate to user profile informationto be shared, instead of preferences regarding contacts. Sharingpreferences may include information about the times, locations, types ofproduct and service providers of interest (specific providers or generalcategories of providers), amount of information to be shared, and othercircumstances in which the user prefers to share information. Forinstance, a user may specify that between 7:00 am and 8:00 am, nearwork, they would like to share information with specified coffee shops.

According to these embodiments, the Server Computer System 105 alsomaintains 585 a database of product and service providers, which may becontained in the Database 110. The provider database for theseembodiments is similar to the provider database 535 described above.This provider database 585 includes information about certain productand service providers, and the information may include location, hours,products and services offered, types of user profile informationrequested, times user information requested, and so on. Locations of theproduct and service providers may be “logically mapped” to theelectronic map database, as described above. The provider databaseincludes specific directives from each product and service providerregarding the circumstances in which the provider would like to receiveuser profile information from the Server Computer System 105, along withdirection regarding the information that should be included (i.e.“Reception Preferences”). Such information may include times of day,geographic location of user, user characteristics (income, age, gender,etc.).

The Server Computer System 105 correlates 590 the location basedinformation, the sharing preferences of the user, the receptionpreferences of the product and service providers, and mapping andlocation information in the electronic map database. The Server ComputerSystem 105 creates 595 data which includes information related to asubset of a user profile. The Server Computer System 105 may transmit550 the data, this time to a provider.

According to different embodiments, the user profile further includes anumber of access levels granting different “sets” of access rights tobusiness and service providers, or classes of business and serviceproviders. These access levels grant different depths of access to userprofile information. Access levels may reduce complexity and improveusability. Access levels may correspond to preferences of the userregarding the sharing of location based information and otherinformation in the user profile. Alternatively, users may grantsspecific access levels to specific product and service providers. Forinstance, a user may grant “minimum” access to location based data toall gas stations, while providing “moderate” access to a favorite chainof grocery stores.

VI. Keywords: A further set of embodiments provides systems and methodsfor providing information based on keywords, and location based datafrom a Mobile Communications Device 125. According to these embodiments,the Server Computer System 105 creates and transmits information relatedto keywords and the location of a Device 125 under definedcircumstances. FIG. 6 illustrates a method 600 of providing informationrelated to a keyword and the location of a cellular telephone accordingto a set of embodiments. The method can be used in a variety of systems,and other methods can be used as well, as is apparent to one skilled inthe art in light of this disclosure.

According to some embodiments, the Mobile Communications Device 125 is acellular telephone configured to receive GPS coordinates, although anyDevice 125 and any form of location based data could be used. The methodis initiated when the cellular telephone receives 605 location basedinformation, and data that contains a keyword. The receipt of thiskeyword data can be in a variety of forms. The keyword can be input astext through a keypad, touchpad, or other manual input device.Alternatively, an email, instant message, text message, web page, orother viewed or sent electronic text may be monitored or otherwisescanned for the existence of keywords. According to differentembodiments, audio input into a microphone can be interpreted to textwith speech recognition software. Such audio input may include wordsspoken by a user into the Device 125, received by the Device 125 from acall participant, or otherwise reproduced by a speaker coupled to thedevice, A variety of speech recognition software is commerciallyavailable, and well known in the art. The software may be stored in thestorage media or memory of the Device 125, or may be stored in theServer Computer System 105. The speech recognition software may thusinterpret the audio (or analog or digital recording of the audio) on theDevice 125 or at the Server Computer System 105.

Software related to the keyword filter may be stored in the storagemedia or memory of the Device 125, or may be stored in the ServerComputer System 105. Software with text filter functionality is wellknown in the art. A specialized microprocessor (such as a DSP chip)coupled to the Device 125 may be specifically configured to monitor forthe keywords, or the general microprocessor can provide thatfunctionality. The filter process can take place on the Server ComputerSystem as well, using suitable hardware.

The cellular telephone transmits 610 the location based data and keyworddata to the Mobile Communications Base Station 120, which forwards 615the data to the Server Computer System 105. Other data may be includedin the transmission as a part of the location and keyword data, such astime, telephone, and user information. The Server Computer System 105receives 620 the location based data and keyword data, and associates625 the location information with a particular user.

The Server Computer System 105 maintains 630 the user profile. The userprofile includes “keyword preferences” regarding the manner in whichkeyword information should be processed, if at all. According to someembodiments, the user may input specific keywords, and associate variousactions to be undertaken by the Server Computer System 105 if thekeywords are received (e.g. If “Hiking,” search for nearest hikingtrails that allow dogs). Alternatively, the user may input specificaction to be undertaken from keywords already listed in the user profileby the Server Computer System 105 (e.g. If “Coffee,” then search forindependent coffee shops). In other embodiments, the user profilecontains preprogrammed actions to be undertaken when keywords arereceived by the System 105 (If “Hungry,” search for local restaurants).Thus, according to different embodiments, both a) the keywords and b)the actions to be undertaken can be preprogrammed, modified, added, ordeleted.

A keyword database is maintained in the Database 110 by the ServerComputer System 105 , wherein both the standard keywords and theassociated standard actions to be undertaken are stored. Standardkeywords and actions include those provided by the System 105 to be usedby all users. In addition, a listing of business and service providersand points of interest may be maintained, along with informationregarding their “logical location” mapping, as described above. Theirlocation, products or services offered, hours, special offers orcoupons, reviews, and so on may also be included. Each of the businessand service providers and points of interest is associated with at leastone keyword.

According to various embodiments, there are a number of further optionsfor the user profile database. The user profile may include keywordpreferences of the user regarding variable actions to be undertaken atdifferent times and geographic locations (e.g. If “Dancing,” and after10:00 p.m., search for local Discos). Also included may be preferencesrelated to general and specific interests, including product and serviceproviders of interest (specific providers or general categories ofproviders), points of interest, display of information, format, amountand nature of contact, and so on. The user profile may include a numberof preference levels corresponding to the providers and the points ofinterest. These preference levels may signify different ranges ofpreference or likeability that a user associates with a specificbusiness or point of interest. The user profile and keyword preferencesenable the customized presentation and content of information on apersonalized basis. The preferences can relate to keywords, associatedactions, or the listing of business and service providers and points ofinterest.

The Server Computer System 105 correlates 635 the location data, thekeyword, the preferences of the user, the keyword database, and mappingand location information in the electronic map database. The design ofsuch databases and matching algorithms are well known by those skilledin the art in the design of relational databases. The Server ComputerSystem 105 creates 640 information related both to the location of theuser and the keywords received, filtered by the keyword preferences ofthe user. The created data may be contained in a variety of formats,including text, images, map images, or combinations thereof. Image datamay include a variety of graphical identifiers relating to the points ofinterest and product and service providers, such as colors, dots, text,or icons. The identifiers may also comprise hyperlinks to additionalinformation. Image data may also be formatted to include a suggestedroute. According to different embodiments, the created data istransmitted 645 to the device.

According to different embodiments, the user may associate keywords withother users, thereby receiving location based information from otherusers. In other embodiments, keywords may be used in combination toformulate suggested meeting locations (i.e. “Brian”+“Hungry”=suggestmeeting at nearest Chinese restaurant). According to other embodiments,a user may input information about an other location, such as a locationthat the user will be visiting soon or are otherwise interested in. Inso doing, the user (through their user profile preferences) would beenabled to receive keyword related information from, for example,product or service providers at that second location.

It should be noted that the methods, systems and devices discussed aboveare intended merely to be exemplary in nature. Consequently, variousembodiments may omit, substitute, or add various procedures orcomponents as appropriate. For instance, it should be appreciated thatin alternative embodiments, the methods may be performed in an orderdifferent than that described, and that various steps may be added,omitted or combined. Also, features described with respect to certainembodiments may be combined in various other embodiments. For example,the transmission algorithm 400 b could be combined to be used with thekeyword embodiments. Different aspects and elements of the abovedescribed embodiments may be combined in a similar manner.

Having described several embodiments, it will be recognized by those ofskill in the art that various modifications, alternative constructions,and equivalents may be used without departing from the spirit of theinvention. Accordingly, the above description should not be taken aslimiting the scope of the invention, which is defined in the followingclaims.

1. A system for mapping the location of a mobile communications device,which comprises: the mobile communications device configured to: receivea set of data identifying the location of the device; transmit the setof data; receive image data illustrating a map including the location ofthe device and locations of a selected subset of a plurality of othermobile communications devices; and display the image data on a screencoupled to the device; a mobile communications base station, incommunication with the mobile communications device via a wirelessconnection; and a server computer system in communication with the basestation, the server computer system configured to: maintain a userprofile of a user of the device, the user profile including informationabout the device and preferences of the user specifying circumstances inwhich a location of each of the plurality of other mobile communicationsdevices will be included in image data transmitted to the device, theuser profile stored in a database of the server computer system; receivethe set of data; associate the set of data with the user, and the userprofile; receive an additional set of data identifying locations of theplurality of other mobile communications devices; create the image dataincluding the location of the device and locations of the selectedsubset of the plurality of other mobile communications devices, whereinthe selected subset is based at least in part on the preferences in theuser profile, wherein the image data is formatted for display on thedevice and the format is determined from the information about thedevice; and transmit the image data to the device.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the set of data comprises GPS coordinate data.
 3. Thesystem of claim 2, wherein the GPS coordinate data comprises GPS codesand a GPS navigation message.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein, themobile communications device is further configured to transmit datawhich modifies the user profile; and the user profile may be modified bythe user from the device.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein, the userprofile includes preferences of the user specifying the circumstances inwhich a location of each of a plurality of businesses and other pointsof interest will be displayed in the image data; and the image dataincludes a graphical representation of a selection of the locations ofthe plurality of businesses and other points of interest, wherein theselection is based on preferences in the user profile.
 6. The system ofclaim 5, wherein each of the selection are graphically represented asdifferent icons in the image data, and the icons comprise hyperliniks toinformation about each of the selections.
 7. The system of claim 1,wherein, the server computer system is further configured to store theset of data; and the image data includes a graphical representation ofthe historical locations of the device within a time period.
 8. Thesystem of claim 7, wherein the time period is specified in the userprofile.
 9. A method of transmitting an image to a mobile communicationsdevice from a server computer system, the method comprising: maintaininga user profile of a user of the mobile communications device, the userprofile containing information about the device and preferences of theuser specifying circumstances in which a location of each of a pluralityof other mobile communications devices will be included in image datatransmitted to the device, the information stored in a database of theserver computer system; receiving a set of data identifying the locationof the device transmitted from the device; associating the set of datawith the user, and the user profile; receiving an additional set of dataidentifying locations of the plurality of other mobile communicationsdevices; creating image data illustrating a map containing the locationof the device and locations of a selected subset of the plurality ofother mobile communications devices, wherein the selected subset isbased at least in part on the preferences in the user profile, whereinthe image data is formatted for display on the device and the format isdetermined from the information about the device; and transmitting theimage data to the device.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the mobilecommunications device comprises a cellular telephone.
 11. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the set of data comprises GPS coordinate data.
 12. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the GPS coordinate data comprises GPS codesand a GPS navigation message.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein, theuser profile includes preferences of the user specifying thecircumstances in which a location of each of a plurality of businessesand other points of interest will be displayed in the image data; andthe image data includes a graphical representation of a selection of thelocations of the plurality of businesses and other points of interest,wherein the selection is based on preferences in the user profile. 14.The method of claim 13, wherein each of the selection are graphicallyrepresented as different icons in the image data, and the icons comprisehyperliniks to information about each of the selections.
 15. The methodof claim 9, wherein, the receiving step further comprises storing thedata which specifies the location of the device in a database; and theimage data includes a graphical representation of historical locationsof the device within a time period.
 16. The method of claim 15, whereinthe time period is specified in the user profile.
 17. The method ofclaim 9, which further comprises receiving an additional set of datafrom the device identifying a second location, wherein the image dataincludes a graphical representation of the second location and asuggested route to the second location.
 18. A computer program embodiedon at least one computer readable medium, the computer programcomprising instructions executable by a computer to: create a userprofile of a user of a mobile communications device, the user profilecontaining information about the device and preferences of the userspecifying circumstances in which a location of each of a plurality ofother mobile communications devices will be included in image datatransmitted to the device; receive a set of data identifying thelocation of the device transmitted from the device; associate the set ofdata with the user, and the user profile; receive an additional set ofdata identifying locations of the plurality of other mobilecommunications devices; create image data illustrating a map containingthe location of the device and locations of a selected subset of theplurality of other mobile communications devices, wherein the selectedsubset is based at least in part on the preferences in the user profile,wherein the image data is formatted for display on the device and theformat is determined from the information about the device; and transmitthe image data to the device.
 19. The computer program recited in claim18, which further comprises instructions executable to store the set ofdata in a database, wherein the image data includes a graphicalrepresentation of historical locations of the device within a timeperiod.
 20. The computer program recited in claim 18, which furthercomprises instructions executable to receive an additional set of datafrom the device identifying a second location, wherein the image dataincludes graphical representations of the second location and asuggested route to the second location.
 21. A method for transmittingimage data to a mobile communications device from a server computersystem, the method comprising: maintaining a user profile of a user of amobile communications device, the user profile including preferencesidentifying circumstances in which a location of each of the pluralityof other mobile communications devices will be included in image datatransmitted to the device; receiving a set of data identifying thelocation of the device, the received set of data based at least in parton information transmitted from the device; receiving an additional setof data identifying locations of the plurality of other mobilecommunications devices; generating image data illustrating a mapcontaining the identified location of the device and the identifiedlocations of a selected subset of the plurality of other mobilecommunications devices, wherein the selected subset is based at least inpart on the preferences in the user profile and wherein the image datais formatted for display on the device; and transmitting the image datato the device.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein, the user profilefurther comprises preferences specifying the circumstances in which alocation of each of a plurality of businesses and other points ofinterest will be displayed in the image data; and the image data furthercomprises a graphical representation of a selection of the locations ofthe plurality of businesses and other points of interest, wherein theselection is based on the preferences in the user profile for theplurality of businesses and other points of interest.
 23. The method ofclaim 21, further comprising: receiving an additional set of dataidentifying a second location, wherein the image data includes agraphical representation of the second location and a suggested route tothe second location from the location of the device.
 24. The method ofclaim 21, wherein the image data includes a graphical representation ofhistorical locations of the device within a time period.
 25. The methodof claim 21, wherein at least some of the selected subset of locationsare graphically represented as icons in the image data, and the iconscomprise hyperlinks to information about a user of a respective othermobile communications device.